ABA: Fourth Amendment Takes Center Stage at High Court

The Fourth Amendment was the “lead story for criminal justice cases” during the 2012-2013 Supreme Court term, according to the American Bar Association’s (ABA’s) recently released “The State of Criminal Justice 2014.”

The newest issue of the ABA’s annual review, which examines major issues, trends and changes in the criminal justice system, declares that “driven by Justice Antonin Scalia, the U.S. Supreme Court demonstrated fundamental doctrinal shifts in analyzing what is a ‘search’ and when warrants may be required.”

That shift continued during the most recent Supreme Court session, during which the justices declared that police require a warrant to search cell phones.

Other topics covered in the review, include major Congressional efforts to reform the federal criminal code, including the creation of a special House of Representatives Task Force on Over-Criminalization.

The review also includes chapters on white-collar crime, cybercrime, indigent defense, domestic violence law, juvenile justice, racial justice and other major issues in criminal justice.

To purchase the full review or download the executive summary for free, click HERE

The execution of Carey Dean Moore went forward on Tuesday after a federal appeals court denied a drug company's request to halt the lethal injection over concerns about whether the drugs were obtained improperly by the state.

A new report by the American Bar Association's Senior Lawyers Division makes nine recommendations and suggests 45 "action items" that it says can advance public health efforts to confront the opioid epidemic. One recommendation calls for promoting policies and laws that support families and caregivers struggling with opioid and substance misuse disorders.

In a report issued Tuesday, the Prison Policy Initiative found that people who have been to prison are 10 times more likely to be homeless than the general public. Recommended policy initiatives include barring housing discrimination against returning citizens.

A hearing on state Senate Bill 1391, which would prevent youths under 16 from being sent to adult courts, is scheduled Thursday. Supporters say it will reduce recidivism rates and better rehabilitate and prepare youth for successful, productive reentry into society.